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Asheville, North Carolina Retirement Guide
low crime rateestablished retirement community
46
Retirement Score
Asheville, North Carolina at a Glance
- Median Home Price
- $410,200
- State Income Tax
- State income tax; Social Security fully exempt; limited pension exclusion.
- Avg January Low
- 28.6°F
- Cost of Living Index
- 94 (US avg = 100)
- Best For
- low crime rate, established retirement community
- RetireCityIQ Score
- 46 / 100
Things to Consider
- limited healthcare options
Retirement Data
Affordability
Cost of Living Index
94 (U.S. avg = 100)Medium confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated March 2026
Median Home Price
$410,200High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 1-Year · Updated April 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$1,290High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 1-Year · Updated April 2026
Taxes
Retirement Tax Score
45 / 100Medium confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated March 2026
Tax Details
State income tax; Social Security fully exempt; limited pension exclusion.Medium confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated March 2026
Retiree Readiness (Sprint 2)
Care Access Score (proxy)
25.1 / 100High confidence
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated April 2026
Aging-in-Place Score (proxy)
54.5 / 100High confidence
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated April 2026
Healthcare
Healthcare Access Score
25.1 / 100Medium confidence
CMS Hospital General Information · Updated March 2026
Climate
Avg July High
86.2°FMedium confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated March 2026
Avg January Low
28.6°FMedium confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated March 2026
Annual Precipitation
37.5"Medium confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated March 2026
Sunny Days / Year
300 daysMedium confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated March 2026
Safety
Safety Score
94.4 / 100Medium confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated March 2026
Walkability
Walk Score (proxy)
35.3 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated March 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
5.4 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated March 2026
Demographics
Population
93,695High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Median Age
40.5High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Age 65+
19.6%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Median Household Income
$63,810High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Community Profile
Owner-Occupied Housing
50.0%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Veterans
6.8%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
51.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Poverty Rate
13.3%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Diversity
White
80.9%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Black
10.4%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Hispanic/Latino
6.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Asian
1.5%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)
Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in Asheville using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.
Estimated monthly carrying cost
$889
Stress-case monthly carrying cost
$998
Median home price used: $410,200
Median rent reference: $1,290 / month
Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.